Stamping device



- A 20,1963 7 s, yymss N 3,101,047

SIAMPING'DEVICE Filed April 14.' 1961 r j INVENTOR.

Sabwe/ M Wez'ssman Unite tatcs This invention relates to a novel marking device and more particularly pertains to a self-inking stamp which dispenses with the need of a separate inking pad spring, thereby providing a stamp construction which is more trouble-free in operation and less expensive to manufacture than other known self-inking stamp constructions.

In my copending application Serial No. 820,676, now Patent No. 2,983,219, a marking device is disclosed which utilizes a novel construction whereby a number of interchangeable printing units may be employed with a frictionally engaging, reciprocally movable holder member. Afirame and actuating handle are also employed for regulating and eifecting the reciprocal movement of said holder and printing unit.

in self-inking marking devices known in the art, an

, inking pad and bolder pivotally mounted on a portion of the frame means are cammed from the path of the printing unit in the course of the downward movement thereof. In these known constructions a conventional coil spring engages the inking pad holder and is employed for urging the inking pad holder and pad into a substantially horiontal position against the distal end of the printing unit when said unit has returned to the upper inoperative position of its reciprocal movement.

Self-inking devices possess more components and, accordingly, are more expensive to manufacuture. In addition, cleaning and servicing of such devices are generally recognized as more difficult to carry out. A reduction of the number of components in stamps of this type, therefore, will not only lessen the cost of manufacture but, in addition, reduce the chances for malfunctioning.

It is an object of this invention, therefore, to provide a novel self-inking stamp construction employing an in'-' ing pad and holder therefor which is cammed into both operative and inoperative positions of use by the printing unit holder. Thus, the need of a coil spring or other resilient means usually employed for urging the inking pad against the printing unit is eliminated.

It is another object of this invention to provide a novel self-inking stamp construction in which the inking pad and holder therefor may be readily replaced or serviced.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a self-inking stamp construction in which uniform operation is assured for an indefinite period of time as a result of the mechanical camming actions effected by means of the cams and cam actuating portions of the provided stamp.

The above and other objects of this invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when read in the light of the. accompanying drawing and appended claims.

In one embodiment of this invention a selfdnking stamp construction is provided comprising a frame in which a stamping or printing unit secured to a holder therefor is reciprocally movable. The stamping unit and holder are biased into an upper inoperative position by means of a coil spring disposed in a hollow handle portion of said frame which urges an actuating handle pinned to an upper portion of said holder in an upwardly direction.

An inking pad holder is pivotally mounted on projecting lug portions of said stamp frame. When the stamping unit and holder are in their upper inoperative position, the inking pad secured to said holder is urged into engagement with the lower distal port-ion of said stamping ice unit. The latter engagement is effected by means of at least one projecting cam arm connected to the inking pad which is in turn engaged by a projecting pin secured to said stamping unit holder as the stamping unit is biased into its uppermost inoperative position.

On the downstroke of the stamping unit, opposed distal portions of said holder engage opposed cam surfaces integrally formed with opposed lateral edges of the holder for said inking pad. As a result of this latter engagement, the inking pad and holder are pivotally cammed from the path of said stamping unit. The projecting cam arms connected to said inking pad holder may frictionally engage inner surface portions of said stamping unit holder so as to be slidably and pivotally movable relative thereto as will hereinafter be explained in greater detail.

For a more complete understanding of this invention, reference will now be made to the drawing wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevational view of a marking device constructed in accordance with the teaching of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a transverse sectional view partly in elevation, the printing unit being illustrated in dotted lines in FIG. 2 in the course of moving upwardly into an inoperative position;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 illustrating the stamping device in its normal stamping position;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view partly in section illustrating the engagement between a projecting cam arm of an inking pad holder and actuating pin means for said arm;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a lower portion of the illustrated stamping device; and

FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the illustrated stamping device.

Stamping Device Holder and Frame Referring now more particularly to FIG. 1, a self-inking marking device Ill is illustrated comprising a frame 12 having a lower cage portion 14. The cage 14 comprises opposed side wall portions 16, base portion 18 and an upper transverse" plate portion 20 connecting the two wall portions 16. It will be noted from FIG. 6 that base portion 18 is divided into two spaced transverse portions 18a, which define an interposed opening 22. Strips of rubber 24 or other equivalent non-skid material are secured to the bottom surface portions of base portions 18a to assure desired fixed positioning of the stamping device 10 in the normal course of use thereof.

As will be more clearly seen from FIGS. 5 and 6, outwardly disposed grooves 26 are disposed in substantially the central portion of each side wall 16 of cage portion 14 of the stamp 10. It is the function of the grooves 26 to guide lower laterally projecting lug portions 28 of a stamping unit holder 30. The engagement between lugs 28 and grooves 26 is more clearly seen from FIG. 6.

As will be noted more clearly from FIGS. 2 and 3, stamping unit holder 30 comprises an upper elongate rod or tubular portion 32 which is secured to a transverse plate 34 which is, in turn, formed integrally with side arm portions 36 of C shaped configuration, only one being seen in the sectional views of FIGS. 2 and 3. Each side arm 36 comprises two spaced end pieces 38 and 40, which are interconnected along one side thereof by elongate arm portion 42. Lower end portion 40 of each side arm 36 possesses two diverging recesses 40a having an outwardly canted protuberance 44 formed therebetween. Secured to the upper end piece 38 of side element 36 of holder 30 is a resilient locking member 46 which, as will be noted from FIGS. 2 and 3, may

It is the function of holder 30 to releasably engage a printingor stamping unit 47, illustrated in front elevation in FIG. 1 and in dotted lines in FIGS. 2 and 3. The latter unit comprises a detachable printing means composed of endless marking bands 50 which are rotatably mounted on wheels 52 so that desired type disposed on the various bands may be arranged in desired sequence over a lowermost backing element which will project through opening 22 in base 18 of the stamp when the stamping unit is in the lowermost position of use, illustrated in dotted lines in FIG. 3.

Lower portions of the stamping unit are retained to holder '30 by mounting the same between the opposed outwardly canted, oblique portions 44 of lower end pieces 40 of the holder side elements 36. Upper portions of the stamping unit are frictionally locked between inwardly projecting portions of resilient members 46 secured to the upper end pieces 38' of the holder element 30. Inasmuch as the stamping unit comprises no part. of this invention, it is not illustrated in detail. Details of the stamping unit construction and its manner of engagement to the illustrated holder 30 may be found in my copending application Serial No. 820,676, now Patent No. 2,983,219. 7

Fixedly mounted atop transverse plate 20 of the cage 14 is the frame hollow guide handle 56. Upper portion 32 of stamping unit holder 30 is telescopically received within hollow portion 56 and :a manually actuated handle 58 of larger diametric dimensions than hollow handle portion 56 is pinned by means of pin 60, or otherwise suit- I ably locked to an upper terminal portion of holder handle '32. Because of its large diametric dimensions, handle portion 58 may be telescopically movable downwardly over hollow handle portion 56 of the stamp frame portion 12 in the manner illustrated in FIG. 3.

Manual actuation of actuating handle 58, therefore, comprises the manner whereby stamping unit 47 and holder 30 are downwardly moved into the operative stamping position of FIG. 3. In the course of manually actuating the stamping unit 47, the resistance of coil ex pansion spring 64 must be overcome. As will be noted from FIGS. 2 and 3, the latter spring abuts against sur-' face 66 of actuating handle 58 defining one end limit of recess 68 disposed within handle 53, andabuts against transverse-plate member 20 of cage portion 14 of mark ing device 10 in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. As a result of the normal expanding action of coil 7 spring 64, thereforeactuating handle 58, stamping unit holder 30 and the stamping unit 47 detachably secured to holder 30 are normally urged into the upper inoperative position illustrated in FIG. 1. The above-described stamping unit construction is well known in the art.

Stamping Device Inking Pad and Holder Assembly Since markingdevice '10 is of the self-inking type, it

employs an inking pad holder 7 in which an inking pad I posed lateral end limits with parallel members '78, which are of general triangular configuration. The inking assembly consisting of parallel members 78, ink pad holder 70,.container 74 and inking pad 72 is pivotally mounted on opposed transverselyaligned projecting members 80 formed integrally with side wall portions 16 of the marking device 10, as is more clearly seen in FIG. 5. It will be noted from the latter figure that screws 82 which .threadedly engage tapped projections 80, supporting-1y engage opposed corner portions of the parallel vertical members 78 formed integrally with the inking pad holder 'tion illustrated in FIG. 1.

76). To facilitate pivotal movement of the inking pad and holder assembly, terminal portions of screws 82 may have the threads thereon removed.

it will be noted from the enlarged fragmentary view of FIG. 4 that each of the opposed parallel triangular members 7% possesses an offset arm portion or tongue 84 having an arcuate cam surface 86' defining one longitudinal edge thereof. The latter edge surface is engaged by a'pin 88 mounted in a lower corner portionof each of the opposed lower end pieces of the marking unit holder 30. It is the function of opposed pins 83 on each piece 46 to engage edge surfaces 86 of the inwardly projecting team arms 84 as the marking unit holder and marking unit approach the uppermost inoperative posi- FIG. 2 illustrates the marking unit 47 and holder 30 in the course of'the terminal portion of its upward movement. It will be noted that pin 88 of holder interconnecting arm 42 is illustrated, in engagement with cam arm 84 in this latter figure.

When stamping unit 47 is at the upper end limit of its movement, inkingpad 72 has been indirectly actuated and urged by pin 88 into engagement with the lowermost distal portion of the marking unit then in use. Thus, automatically with the spring-urged movement, effected by spring 64, of the marking unit and marking unit holder into the uppermost inoperative position, the inking pad and inking pad holder assembly will be pivotally moved by virtue of engagement of pins 8'8 with cam arms 84 into the position illustrated in FIG. 4;

It is preferred thatouter surface portions of each projecting cam arm or tongue. 84 be in frictional engagement with adjacent surface portions of vertical arms42 of each marking unit holder. In FIG. 4, surface portion 42a of arm 42 indicates the surface normally frictionallyand slidably engaging inner surface of cam arm 84 in the normal course of stamping device use. As a result of this frictional engagement, pivotal movement of the inking pad and inking pad holder assembly will be facilitated inasmuch as the latter assembly will tend to move in a smooth uniform manner with the holder member 30, i.e., with inner elongate surface portion 42:; of each holder arm portion 42. p v

In'the course of moving the marking unit 47 and holder 32 into the operative stamping position of FIG. 3 by actuating handle 58 so as to compress coil spring 64, the inking pad and inking pad holder assembly is pivotally moved out of the path of the descending stamping unit and holder. Means efiecting the pivotal movement comprises a lower surface portion 90 of holder 30, more clear- 1y seen in FIG. 4, which underlies the juncture of the vertical arm 42 and lower element 40 of the marking unit holder 30.

Pivotal movement of the inking pad and holder assembly from the path of the marking unit is also assisted by pivotal action of cam arms 84 which frictionally' engage .arms 42, as above indicated. It will be seen from FIG.

4 that as the holder 30 descends (together with the engaged marking unit 47 not illustrated in FIG. 4), edge surface portion 90 will engage elongate, downwardly slanting edge surface 532 of vertical member 78 formed integrally with inking pad 'holder 70. FIG. 3 illustrates the inking pad and inking pad holder assembly at the end limit of its downward pivotal movement.

Edge surface 92 of each of the opposed parallel vertical members 7 8 comprises a cam surface along which opposed lower edge surface portions 9a of the marking unit holder 30 slidably move. As a result of the slidable, frictional engagement between projecting cam arms 84 and engaged longitudinal surface portions 42a of vertical arms 42 of the marking unit holder 30, the pivotal movement of the inking pad and inking pad holder from the path of the descending marking unit will be smooth and not allow a loosely pivoting inking pad and holder assembly when the V The end limit of the inking pad and holder pivotal movement illustrated in FIG. 3 occurs when hump portion 79 of each triangular portion 78 formed integ ally with inking pad holder 70 engages outer edge surface portion 42b (see FIG. 4) of arm portion 42 of the holder at 81. The latter engagement, while limiting the outermost pivotal movement of the inking pad and holder, allows the marking unit and holder to continue to move downwardly as the hump slidably engages edge surfaces 4212 until the lower distal end of the marking unit engages an article to be stamped.

It is seen, therefore, that when the illustrated stamping inking means may pivotally move relative to said holder means upon initial movement of said holder means and prior to engagement of said holder means with said cam device is manually actuated so as to assume the position of FIG. 3, the inking pad and inking pad holder assembly is pivotally moved from the path of the descending marking unit 47 as a result of the slidaole engagement between opposed lower edge surface portionsjil of the marking unit holder and the cam edge surfaces 92 of the opposed vertical triangular members 78 formed integrally with the inking pad holder. When spring 64 is allowed to come into play to return the marking unit holder and marking unit into the vertical position, opposed pins 88.

\ ing operation without the use of springs. Also, the provided construction enables the inking pad and inking pad holder assembly to be desirably pivotally moved into the horizontal position of FIG. 4 without the direct use of a spring or other resilient means. The novel arrangement of cam surfaces and cam actuating portions of the marking unit holder above described enables the inking pad to be properly disposed relative to the marking unit at all times. It is apparent from the drawings in the above description that the means utilized for regulating the disposition of the inking pad and holder are extremely simple in construction and, accordingly, enables servicing or replacement of. parts to be effected in a minimum amount of time with a minimum amount of effort. Screws 82 may be readily removed from engagement with projecting membars 8@ of the stamp frame whereupon the inking pad and holder may be serviced or replaced, after which a new or serviced assembly may be readily put into operating.

condition.

It is apparent certain modifications may be made in the above-described apparatus which will not remove the same from the scope of this invention. It is intended, therefore, that the above-described invention be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

t1. In a marking device having a frame means, reciprocally movable holder means movable between a position of use and a nonoperative position guided in the course of movement thereof by said .frame means, marking means sup-portably mounted in said holder means, manually operable actuating means connected to said holder means for moving said marking means into an operative position of use, means connected to said actuating means for biasing said marking means into a non-operative position, the improvement comprising inking means pivotally mounted on said frame means, cam surface means mounted on said inking means and disposed in the path of said holder means when said marking means is moving into an operative position of use whereby said holder means engages said cam surface means, pivctally moving said inking means from :the path of said holder and marking means during a portion of said holder means movement; projecting tongue means connected to said inking means adapted to engage a parallel surface portion of said holder surface means of said inking means.

2. The combination of claim 1 in combination with a projecting pin means secured to an inner surface portion of said holder means engageable with said tongue means when said holder means and marking means approach the non-operative position whereby said inking means is urged into engagement with said marking means in the non-operativeposition thereof.

3. Ina marking device having a frame means, reciprocally movable holder means movable between a position of use and a non-operative position guided in the course of movement thereof by said frame means, marking means supportably mounted in said holder means, manually operable actuating means connected to said holder means for moving said marking means into an operative position of use, means connected to said actuating means for biasing said marking means supported by said holder means into a non-operative position, and inking means pivotally mounted about a fixed axis on said frame means, the improvement comprising at least one projecting tongue means connected to said inking means and adapted to frictionally engage a parallel inner surface portion of said holder means in face-to-face engagement whereby said inking means may be initially pivoted away from the path of said marking means as said marking means initially moves into the operative position, and projecting pin means secured to at least one inner surface portion of said holder means engageable with said projecting tongue means when said holder means and marking means approach the non-operative position whereby said inking means is urged into engagement with said marking means in the non-operative position thereof.

4. In a marking device, the combination comprising frame means, reciprocally movable marking means, holder means for said marking means engageable therewith and guided in the course of said marking means reciprocal movement by said frame means, manually operable actuating means connected to said holder means for moving said marking means engaged by said holder means into an operative position of use, means connected to said actuating means for biasing said marking means engaged by said holder means into a non-operative position, inking means engageable with said marking means when said latter means is in said non-operative position, pivotally mounted on said frame means; cam surface means mounted on said inking means and disposed in the path of said holder means when said marking means is moving into an operative position of use whereby said holder means engages said cam surface means, pivotally moving said inking means from the path of said holder and marking means; and at least one projecting tongue means secured to said inking means continuously frictionally engaging a parallel surface portion of said holder means in the course of said inking means pivotal movement, said tongue means being in -face-to-face engagement with said. holder means surface portion whereby reciprocal movement of said holder means concomitantly effects pivotal movement of said inking means prior to engagement of said holder 7 means with said inking means.

5. In a marking device having la frame means, reciprocally movable holder means movable between a position of use and an inoperative position guided in the course of movement thereof by said frame means, marking means supp ortably mounted in said holder means, manually operable actuating means connected to said holder for moving said marking means into an operative position of use, means connected to said actuating means for biasing s aid marking means connected to said actuating means into a non-operative position, the improvement comprising inking means pivotally mounted on said frame means, said inking means having a cam means adapted to engage a portion of said holder means andrbe pivotally moved from the path of said marking means in the course of the movement thereof into the operative position, a portion of said cam means being adapted to slidably engage said rediprocally movable holder means after said me ans has pivoted from the path of said marking means following the pivotal movement of said inking means from the path of said marking means and during a terminal portion of the holder means movement into the -op-' means when said holder means and marking means approach the non-operative position whereby said inking means is urged into engagement with said marking means in the non-operative position thereof.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 199,295 Keeler Jan. 15, 1878 1,230,391 Folger et a1 June 19, 1917 1,590,905 Rettmer June 29, 1926 1,850,880 Huntzicker Mar. 22, 1932 2,075,169 Brown Mar. 30, 1937 FOREIGN PATENTS 381,383 Great Britain Oct. 6, 1932 

1. IN A MARKING DEVICE HAVING A FRAME MEANS, RECIPROCALLY MOVABLE HOLDER MEANS MOVABLE BETWEEN A POSITION OF USE AND A NON-OPERATIVE POSITION GUIDED IN THE COURSE OF MOVEMENT THEREOF BY SAID FRAME MEANS, MARKING MEANS SUPPORTABLY MOUNTED IN SAID HOLDER MEANS, MANUALLY OPERABLE ACTUATING MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID HOLDER MEANS FOR MOVING SAID MARKING MEANS INTO AN OPERATIVE POSITION OF USE, MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID ACTUATING MEANS FOR BIASING SAID MARKING MEANS INTO A NON-OPERATIVE POSITION, THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISING INKING MEANS PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON SAID FRAME MEANS, CAM SURFACE MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID INKING MEANS AND DISPOSED IN THE PATH OF SAID HOLDER MEANS WHEN SAID MARKING MEANS IS MOVING INTO AN OPERATIVE POSITION OF USE WHEREBY SAID HOLDER MEANS ENGAGES SAID CAM SURFACE MEANS, PIVOTALLY MOVING SAID INKING MEANS FROM THE PATH OF SAID HOLDER AND MARKING MEANS DURING A PORTION OF SAID HOLDER MEANS MOVEMENT; PROJECTING TONGUE MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID INKING MEANS ADAPTED TO ENGAGE A PARALLEL SURFACE PORTION OF SAID HOLDER MEANS IN FACE-TO-FACE, FRICTIONAL ENGAGEMENT WHEREBY SAID INKING MEANS MAY PIVOTALLY MOVE RELATIVE TO SAID HOLDER MEANS UPON INITIAL MOVEMENT OF SAID HOLDER MEANS AND PRIOR TO ENGAGEMENT OF SAID HOLDER MEANS WITH SAID CAM SURFACE MEANS OF SAID INKING MEANS. 